WIAA state girls basketball: Teams happy to be headed to Green Bay

Mar. 11, 2013

'I’m totally expecting that our fan base is going to be there riled up, jacked up, ready to go,' Algoma coach Mark Zastrow said of playing in the WIAA state girls basketball tournament at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. / Adam Jungwirth/Gannett Wisconsin Media

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The public-address announcer had a near flawless call of the WIAA Division 3 girls basketball sectional final game Saturday at Ashwaubenon High School.

But the man behind the mic made one slip following Kewaunee’s victory.

“Congratulations, you’re going to Madison,” he said, probably out of habit.

After being reminded by the crowd, the correct statement of “You’re going to Green Bay” was made over the speakers.

But Kewaunee senior Alex Richard might have said it best as she clutched the sectional championship plaque.

“We’re going to state,” she screamed.

That’s all that really matters to the 20 teams who will converge on the Resch Center this week when the WIAA state girls basketball tournament comes to town for the first time in the event’s 38-year history.

Several coaches from state-bound teams addressed the change in a teleconference Sunday, and all seemed to share the view that they’re just happy to be playing for a chance at a title — no matter where the venue is.

“Obviously, Madison has a wonderful tradition and it’s always thought of as that’s the place you want to go at the end of the year,” said New Berlin Eisenhower coach Gary Schmidt, whose team will face New London on Friday in a rematch of last year’s Division 2 title game.

“Obviously, it’s changed this year, but I think from a coach’s perspective and player perspective, we’re glad to go anywhere. ... We certainly appreciate the WIAA’s efforts and what they’re trying to do. You don’t know anything until they try it, and who knows, maybe Green Bay will be a real pleasant surprise.”

While it’s the first go-around for the girls state basketball tournament, the Resch has been home to the state volleyball tournament since 2002.

Wausau Newman and Cuba City advanced to state in volleyball last November and will be a part of the first basketball tournament field at the Resch this week.

“It’s like any place you go. It’s a different venue, but when you get between the lines, you’re going to have to outplay the opponent and out-execute them and out-hustle them,” Cuba City coach Jeff Pustina said.

The Cubans have played in six volleyball tournaments at the Resch and will be making their 14th state appearance in basketball.

Cuba City, located south of Platteville, has to make the third-longest trip (216 miles) among the 20 teams when it plays its Division 4 semifinal Thursday against Algoma, which has the third-shortest drive at about 35 miles.

After finishing as state runner-up in 2011, Algoma coach Mark Zastrow is hoping the proximity of the Resch will help his team in its attempt to win its first state title since 1986.

“I’m totally expecting that our fan base is going to be there riled up, jacked up, ready to go, and I hope it is an advantage for us,” Zastrow said.

Meanwhile, Green Bay Notre Dame coach Sara Boyer-Rohde is looking forward to some of the comforts of being so close to home as her team prepares for its Division 2 semifinal against Milton on Friday.

“I think it will be kind of an advantage for us,” Boyer-Rohde said after her team’s sectional final win on Saturday.

“When you go on the road, you’re out of your daily routine. Here, we’ll be sleeping in our own beds at night, eating the food that we would always eat. I think that will be really important when it comes to playing.”